Alexandria, VA – The Institute for Free Speech released the following statement praising today’s ruling by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Southern Division, in The Washington Post, et al. v. McManus:

“The court’s ruling confirms that the First Amendment protects online speech. We’re pleased the court barred Maryland from enforcing its misguided law against these online publishers,” said Institute for Free Speech President David Keating. “Other states, and Congress, should take note. The courts will strike down laws that burden our free speech and press rights while doing little to prevent foreign interference.”

The court’s ruling is available here.

About the Institute for Free Speech

The Institute for Free Speech is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes and defends the First Amendment rights to freely speak, assemble, publish, and petition the government. Originally known as the Center for Competitive Politics, it was founded in 2005 by Bradley A. Smith, a former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission. The Institute is the nation’s largest organization dedicated solely to protecting First Amendment political rights.